Her path to becoming one involved a strong commitment and a lot of hard work.

Garvey’s choice of serving in the military was influenced by her older brother Tim, who is a U.S. Army Staff Sgt. E-6. She had always looked up to him for serving the country.

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“I saw how much respect he got every time he came back from deployments, and as I grew up I realized I wanted to earn that kind of respect,” Garvey said.

Garvey was 17 and in high school in August of 2012 when she joined the Delayed Entry Program, a program in which the 17-year-old Marine applicant can enlist, with the permission of a parent, and is given the opportunity to participate in military-related activities led by recruiters. It is one way recruits can achieve rank before their departure to basic training. Garvey also was given credit because she encouraged two classmates to become recruits, so when she graduated from boot camp, she became a contract PFC E-2.

Her original date to leave for Parris Island, North Carolina for boot camp was June 17, 2013.

On Prom Night, Wednesday, May 29, she found out that her departure date had been moved to June 3.

Her graduation from Lakeland High School in White Lake Township happened on Sunday, June 2, so as soon as she walked off the stage, she was off to a hotel where she left the next morning as a Marine recruit to fly to Parris Island, North Carolina to start boot camp.

She graduated from boot camp at the end of August and then came home for 10 days of leave. She then went to Camp Geiger, North Carolina for one month of Marine combat training where she learned to shoot various weapons and throw hand grenades. Right after that, she flew to Pensacola where she attended Military Occupational Specialty School.

Her occupational specialty is Expeditionary Airfield. She lays down different types of mattings to build the runways for different aircrafts. It is very physically demanding with a lot of heavy lifting so there is physical training which sometimes consists of a run of several miles and strength training.

When she goes to her official duty station, she says she will most likely will be repairing and maintaining the already built runways and will be going on deployments.

“I love the Marine Corps. It has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done,” Garvey said.

“The beginning of getting in, like going through boot camp, Marine combat training and school was most stressful at times so it really made me wonder why I joined, but once I got past the hard parts, I look back and see how much I’ve accomplished. I knew the Marine Corps wasn’t going to be easy and I knew it would affect my life in a lot of ways, like leaving home, missing holidays, working till pretty much blood and tears, but it takes a strong person and so far I think I have proven myself as a Marine to push through my comfort zone.”

Garveys’ parents Bill and Lorraine Garvey have supported her throughout her Marine recruit adventure.

“We’re very proud of her,” Bill Garvey said. “She followed her heart. It’s what she wanted to do.”

Wild Game Dinner fundraiser

Campbell-Richmond American Legion Post 63 and the Sons of the American Legion hosts its annual Wild Game Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at 8047 Ortonville Road (M-15), one-half mile north of I-75 (exit 91).

The menu includes elk, white tail deer, duck, walleye, salmon domestic turkey and samples of other assorted wild game and desserts. There will be a raffle for several guns and Booze Baskets and a 50/50 drawing.

Cost is $20 per person and 180 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available at the post and by calling the post.

Open to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m. All you wish to eat.

The post hall is available to the public to rent, holds 170 people and has a full kitchen. American Legion Post 63 serves the Clarkston area including Independence Township. The post provides the Color Guard to lead all Clarkston parades and organizes the Memorial Day Parade and Observance each year. Its Color Guard Squad participates in many other area ceremonies and consists of Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion members.

All veterans and their families and friends are welcome and invited to visit Post 63 for a tour and to consider the benefits of joining The American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

The benefits classes last four weeks. Attendance at all four is not required.

VFW state service officers present the class and provide an extensive overview of all veteran’s benefits veterans have earned by honorable service to this country.

Additional service officers will be present to assist veterans file claims and answer questions for those that do not want to sign up for the classes. Bring a DD-214 to investigate filing a claim. For those who have misplaced the DD-214, they can assist in gaining a replacement.

Claim assistance is free and offered 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is open to anyone and everyone.

Representatives from Great Lakes National Cemetery will give a presentation. A $25 donation for the four classes will be collected at the first class. This covers the cost of the service book, coffee and snacks. Check with a veterans’ organization as many groups reimburse for completing classes.

Service books are available for $10 for those who can’t attend.

For more information and to confirm attendance, call Al Yates 248-377-5555, or email him at al.yates@gm.com.

National Salute to Veterans Patients 2014

The Detroit VA Medical Center hosts the National Salute to Veterans Patients 2014 from Feb. 9 to 15, at 4646 John R. Road, Detroit.

The purpose of the National Salute to Veteran Patients is to pay tribute and express appreciation to veterans, increase community awareness of the role of the VA medical center, encourage citizens to visit hospitalized veterans and to become involved as volunteers.

During the National Salute, VA invites individuals, veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers. The activities and events include special ward visits and Valentine distributions, photo opportunities, school essay contests, special recreation activities and veteran recognition programs.

The week also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with the volunteer opportunities within the medical center.

For a complete schedule of events or for more information about volunteer opportunities, to schedule a visit, or to make a donation, call 313-576-3332 and visit www.detroit.va.gov/giving/.

The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an e-mail with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.

About the Author

Sharon Longman has written for The Oakland Press for several years. Currently she is the Veterans Affairs columnist, featured every Sunday, and also writes features of local interest. Reach the author at sslstart@aol.com
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